Remember last year? We had four long holidays that were followed by a spike (in the number of COVID-19) cases.
Jakarta (ANTARA) - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has urged regional leaders to exercise caution over the potential increase of COVID-19 transmission following a spike in the number of coronavirus disease cases in India.

"I remember in January, India had reduced the case count to 10 thousand per day. However, as we know lately, there is an exponential increase of COVID-19 transmission in India to 350 thousand active cases per day. This elicits caution for us," Jokowi stated during a virtual briefing for regional leaders from the State Palace, Jakarta, on Wednesday (April 28).

During the briefing aired on the Presidential Secretariat YouTube account on Thursday, Jokowi stressed the importance of regional leaders closely monitoring developments in the coronavirus transmission in their respective regions and to take immediate measures to control it.

The president urged regional leaders to step up vigilance before the Eid al-Fitr celebrations while recalling last year's festivity that was followed by the increased number of COVID-19 cases.

Related news: BNPB head cautions Indonesians to not breach government's "mudik" ban

"Remember last year? We had four long holidays that were followed by a spike (in the number of COVID-19) cases. Last year's Eid al-Fitr, with a 93-percent increase; a 119-percent increase in August; 95-percent increase in October; and 78-percent increase during the New Year’s holiday. Hence, be cautious," he remarked.

The head of state has also called on regional leaders to intensify the dissemination of information on the Eid al-Fitr exodus (mudik) ban and health protocols campaign to avert a further rise in coronavirus transmission.

"Before the imposition of the ban, some 89 million people would leave for their home towns, or some 33 percent of the country's population. When we imposed the mudik ban, the number has declined to 11 percent, or some 29 million," he stated.

After the government issued the mudik ban for Eid al-Fitr 2021, the number of travelers has reduced to seven percent, or some 18.9 million.

Jokowi has also called on regions to continue to conduct the COVID-19 mass vaccination program.

"Vaccination in regions should not stop. The central government's task is supplying the vaccine for the regions to keep stocks of it. Five percent is sufficient for stock. Administer it (COVID-19 vaccine) to the public," he remarked. Related news: Lombok airport to limit flight operations during 'mudik' ban: official





Translator: Rangga Pandu AJ, Sri Haryati
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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